Family pay tribute to ‘beautiful and talented’ student who plunged to death in St Paul’s

Named: student James De Sousa Stayton, 19, fell from the Whispering Gallery in St Paul’s on April 1.
Isabelle Hathaway
Justin Davenport30 January 2020

A teenager who died after falling from the Whispering Gallery in St Paul’s Cathedral was named by police today.

Student James De Sousa Stayton, 19, from Herefordshire, who studied at Queen Mary University of London, plunged from the gallery just before 4pm on April 1.

Today his family issued a statement saying: “We are all in deep shock at the loss of our beautiful, talented and intelligent son. He had a deep passion for history and revelled in sharing his knowledge with others. He truly was a young gentleman, always willing to help others where he could. With his wicked sense of humour and mischievous smile he could bring irrepressible joy to anyone in his company.

“Words cannot adequately express the devastation we feel, nor the love we have for him. The world is unarguably a lesser place without JJ.”

The interior of St Paul's Cathedral
AFP/Getty Images

City of London police said a report was being compiled for the coroner into the circumstances of his death, but added it was not suspicious.

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org

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